CHAPTER 15:WARMTH AROUND THE TABLE
579 Words
“Kumain ka lang, iho, ha? Huwag kang mahiya,” Mama Eliza said, smiling warm.
“Marami akong nilutong ulam kasi alam ko na ngayon ang uwi ni Malia galing San Fernando.
Sandali, lagyan ko lang ng malamig na tubig itong pitsel.”
“Ma, ako na po, maupo na kayo diyan,” I stood up fast, taking the pitcher from her hands.
As the fridge’s cool air hit my face, Papa turned to Reuben.
“Reuben, iho, ano ba ang kurso mo?”
“Accountancy po, Tito. Fourth year na po ako,” Reuben replied, dimple showing.
Papa nodded, chewing thoughtfully.
“Malapit ka na palang mag-graduate. Isang semester na lang.
Si Malia, malayo-layo pa ang bubunuin niya. Irregular third year siya ngayon.
Kung ‘di sana na-terminate ‘yung scholarship niya, fourth year na siya next year…”
Guilt twinged in my chest.
But Mama patted Papa’s hand.
“Renato, huwag mo nang alalahanin ‘yan. Ang importante, ‘di sumusuko si Malia sa pangarap niya.”
I walked back to the table, pitcher in hand.
“Ma, Pa, kesehodang mag-summer class ako para maihabol ko ‘yung units na kailangan kong habulin, gagawin ko,” I said, voice steady.
Reuben looked up, eyes wide with quiet awe.
Respect. Like he was looking at someone who refused to quit.
“Malia? Sure ka, kaya mo ‘yang sabay-sabay?” Mama asked, worried.
“Baka mabigla ang katawan mo sa pagod, anak. Nag-e-engineering ka na, nagpapakapuyat ka pa sa library.”
“Haven’t I proven that I can take it, Ma?” I smiled.
“I just set the highest record for the midterm exams in the entire department.
If I can survive Prof. Doctolero’s finals, I can survive anything.”
“Kakayanin niya po ‘yan, Tita, Tito,” Reuben chimed in smoothly.
“Kasama ko naman po siyang nag-o-audit ng mga curriculum lines sa library.
Na-compute na po namin ‘yung remaining engineering units niya,
at kung bubunuin niya po talaga ngayong summer, malaki ang mairere-regular niya next year.”
Papa looked impressed.
“Ganoon ba? Pero mabigat ang engineering kapag summer, iho. Walang pahinga.”
“Nandoon naman po ako para bantayan siya, Tito,” Reuben said without hesitation.
“Ako po ang bahala sa kape niya kapag nagre-review siya,
taga-bitbit ng mga makakapal niyang libro para hindi siya masyadong mapagod.
At kung kailangan niya po ng tutor sa math part ng accounting engineering balance,
alam ko rin naman po ang kahit kaunting basics.”
My heart did that wild flutter again.
He wasn’t just defending me from Auntie Tita anymore.
He was volunteering to be my anchor for the whole journey ahead.
Mama giggled, glancing at Papa.
“Aba, Renato, mukhang secured na secured pala ang anak natin sa San Fernando
dahil may napakabuting library partner.”
“Mabuti kung ganoon,” Papa said, rare smile breaking through. He raised his glass.
“Bihira na ang mga lalaking handang sumuporta sa pangarap ng isang babae
nang walang hinihinging kapalit. Salamat, Reuben, iho.”
“Maliit na bagay po, Tito,” Reuben replied, giving me a quick, playful side-eye.
Under the warm dining light, with Mama’s cooking filling the room,
the chains of my past life felt lighter.
Mark’s ghost. Auntie Tita’s warnings. A million miles away.
For the first time in two lifetimes, I was eating dinner
with a family that trusted me,
and a man willing to help me build my new destiny.
- Writer
